In "Stranger Things Season 3," the story takes place during the summer of 1985 in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. The characters, including Eleven, Mike, and Dustin, navigate the challenges of growing up while facing new supernatural threats. A mysterious new mall, the Starcourt Mall, becomes a central location, drawing the attention of the town's residents. As the season progresses, the group discovers that the Mind Flayer has returned, seeking to control the town's inhabitants. The friends must unite to confront this danger, all while dealing with personal relationships and the complexities of adolescence.